![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/football\/football-thumb\/football-thumb.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Scotland manager Steve Clarke praised his side for keeping their cool and using Georgia\u2019s time-wasting \u201cshenanigans\u201d to their advantage after Lawrence Shankland headed a stoppage-time equaliser in Tbilisi.<\/p>\n
Georgia twice took the lead through the impressive Napoli attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but late call-up Shankland earned Scotland a 2-2 draw when he headed home fellow substitute Stuart Armstrong\u2019s cross two minutes into added time.<\/p>\n
Despite Scotland having already sealed their Euro 2024 place and Georgia knowing they face a play-off in March, there was a real competitive edge to the game, with three yellow cards for each team and a melee in each half.<\/p>\n
Clarke felt his side reacted well to some lengthy stoppages for treatment to home players and took advantage of the eight minutes added on.<\/p>\n
Clarke said: \u201cThat\u2019s one of the challenges when you come here, you know they will do everything they can to get a positive result.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to react to that. We have to make sure we control ourselves and don\u2019t get involved, don\u2019t encourage any sort of shenanigans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just kept going, kept plugging away, we knew there was going to be extra time because now they have a better handle on time wasted, and it was nice to score in injury time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shankland was dropped from the squad last month but responded by hitting five goals in his last five games for Hearts. And the striker seized the chance presented by Che Adams\u2019 withdrawal.<\/p>\n
Clarke said: \u201cWhen you are going into the last 10 minutes, and knowing we would get a lot of injury time because Georgia spent a lot of time on the floor, we knew there was time left.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe needed a goal and you know Lawrence has always got a chance of getting a goal. I am delighted for Lawrence and delighted for the team as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott McTominay had earlier netted in the 49th minute as Scotland improved after a slack first half.<\/p>\n
The late goal ended a run of three defeats and a losing run in Tbilisi.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you can\u2019t win the game, don\u2019t lose,\u201d Clarke said. \u201cWe did that and showed good character to come from behind twice here in a difficult place.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeorgia are a good team with one exceptional player in Kvaratskhelia. He got two great goals and made it difficult for our defenders.<\/p>\n
\u201cOverall we got lots of shots on goal, we could have been a little bit more clinical, only five on target with the 16 or 17 shots we had. But we showed resilience and it was important not to lose.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew coming here would be tough. Scotland had been here twice before and didn\u2019t score, lost both games. So we knew it would be a tough game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to come here and hopefully get back to winning ways, but we have broken that run of defeats and we will look to build on that in the Norway game on Sunday. We will look to finish with a good performance and a home win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Georgia head coach Willy Sagnol felt some of his players\u2019 lack of game time showed as Scotland dominated after the hour mark.<\/p>\n
Sagnol said: \u201cI was very happy with the first hour, we did exactly what we wanted to do with and without the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem is, we have a lot of talented players, but they don\u2019t always play with their clubs. They sometimes play 15-20 minutes. At some point tiredness will come because they are not used to playing 90 minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lost a bit with the changes and it\u2019s frustrating to lose a goal in extra time.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Scotland didn\u2019t steal the point, they played a good match.\u201d<\/p>\n